Three State News photographers were recognized this weekend by the Michigan Press Photographers Association, or MPPA, for their work in college photojournalism.

Travis Haughton, who currently is on an internship, was named the 2005 College Photographer of the Year.

Dave Weatherwax, a State News photographer currently on an internship, placed second, and staff photographer Mike Itchue received an honorable mention.

"I honestly wasn't expecting it," Haughton said. "I figured Dave would win again."

Weatherwax was the 2004 College Photographer of the Year. This is Haughton's first award.

"I like to tell people's stories," Haughton said. "I just like doing it with visual verbs."

All of the photographs Haughton submitted were shot during the time he worked for The State News.

Haughton currently works as an intern for the Jackson Citizen Patriot in Jackson.

Weatherwax is on an internship at the Jasper Herald in Jasper, Ind.

"The State News has had a tradition of accomplished photojournalists over the last years," Weatherwax said. "(Haughton and Itchue) both showed why through their work."

The competition in Michigan is tough when it comes to photography.

MPPA has several contests, which award photographers in different categories such as news, sports and features.

"I don't like to think of it as competition," Itchue said. "We shouldn't be competing against ourselves for awards. It isn't why we do it. I like doing the photography aspect because images bring something to the story that words can't. In that sense, I think that photography is a very important medium."

Itchue has worked five semesters at The State News. He received an MPPA honorable mention in sports action for a photo taken in 2004 and the Associated Press photo of the month for April 2005.

"I am most proud that I am able to pursue what I like to do, and I'm able to enjoy my job and look forward to coming to work each day," Itchue said.